Portable electronic device with a creative artworks picture application operating in response to beacons

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device (PED) includes a processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to receive an RF signal having a unique identifier associated therewith when the PED is in proximity to at least one themed photograph overlay image beacon at a designated area. The unique identifier corresponds to at least one of a themed photograph overlay on a remote server. The transceiver transmits the unique identifier to the remote server, and receives the least one themed photograph overlay from the remote server based on the transmitted unique identifier. A camera is coupled to the processor and takes a photograph at the designated area. A display is coupled to the processor and displays the photograph with the at least one themed photograph overlay.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.15/876,453 filed Jan. 22, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/627,199 filed Feb. 20, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,881,403, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/942,700 filed Feb. 21, 2014, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices, and,more particularly, to the addition of creative artwork to pictures takenby a portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When visiting theme parks, such as Disney and Universal, for example, itis common for guests to be approached by a theme park photographer tohave their photograph taken as a souvenir that can later be retrieved ata designated area. For each park guest and their group having theirphotograph taken, a printed ticket with a number corresponding to theirparticular photograph is given to them by the theme park photographer.

The number on the printed ticket typically corresponds to a bar codethat is associated with the photograph or photographs taken by the themepark photographer of the park guest and their group. A different barcode is used for each park guest and their group having their photographtaken.

To associate the bar codes with the photographs being taken, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) is used. Each theme park photographer has a PDAcoupled to their camera via an interface cord. The theme parkphotographer uses the PDA to first read or scan a bar code. The bar codeis usually taken from a tablet of bar codes carried by the theme parkphotographer. After the photographs of a park guest and their group havebeen taken, they are then transferred to the PDA. The PDA includessoftware that associates the bar code with the corresponding photographstaken of the park guest. This process is repeated for each group of parkguests having their photograph taken.

The theme park photographer later transfers the stored photographs andcorresponding bar codes in the PDA to a photography database. Prior toleaving the theme park, the park guest can present their printed ticketat a photography gift shop. The photography database is searched usingthe number on the printed ticket which corresponds to the bar code usedto identify their photographs.

Before the retrieved photograph is printed, the photography gift shophas the capability of adding creative artwork to the photograph. Thepark guest can select from different borders, logos or icons, forexample. A drawback of adding the creative artwork to the photograph atthe photography gift shop is that the park guest typically enters thephotography gift shop near the end of their visit at the theme park. Atthis point, the park guest is tired and may not have the patience to gothrough each of their available photographs and select individualizedartwork for each one. In addition, if their ticket is lost or misplaced,the photograph cannot be easily retrieved. Consequently, there is a needto improve how creative artwork can be added to photographs of parkguests so as to enhance their theme park experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable electronic device (PED) includes a processor, and atransceiver coupled to the processor. The transceiver receives an RFsignal having a unique identifier associated therewith when the PED isin proximity to at least one themed photograph overlay image beacon at adesignated area. The unique identifier corresponds to at least one of athemed photograph overlay on a remote server. The transceiver transmitsthe unique identifier to the remote server, and receives the least onethemed photograph overlay from the remote server based on thetransmitted unique identifier. A camera is coupled to take a photographat the designated area. A display is coupled to the processor to displaythe photograph with the at least one themed photograph overlay.

The display may be further configured to display the photograph with theat least one themed photograph overlay for a set time intervalcorresponding to when the at least one themed photograph overlay wasreceived, and after the set time interval, display the photographwithout the at least one themed photograph overlay.

The display may be further configured to display the photograph with theat least one themed photograph overlay for a set time intervalcorresponding to being in proximity to the at least one themedphotograph overlay image beacon at the designated area, and when notwithin proximity to the at least one themed photograph overlay imagebeacon at the designated area, display the photograph without the atleast one themed photograph overlay.

The RF signal received from the at least one themed photograph overlayimage beacon may be based on at least one of a Bluetooth wirelessprotocol, a Zigbee wireless protocol and a MiWi wireless protocol.

The display may be further configured to display a notificationindicating proximity to a picture taking site. The PED may furtherinclude an input device coupled to the processor, and wherein thenotification requires acknowledgement by a user via the input devicebefore the least one themed photograph overlay is received from theremote server.

The at least one themed photograph overlay received by the at least onetransceiver from the remote server may include a plurality of themedphotograph overlays to be displayed, with a user selecting one of thethemed photograph overlays to be displayed with the photograph taken bythe camera.

The PED may further include an input device coupled to the processor,and wherein the processor may be further configured so that a user logsin via the input device before the at least one transceiver receives theat least one themed photograph overlay from the remote server.

The remote server may be configured to store the photograph with the atleast one themed photograph overlay in an on-line album assigned to auser operating the PED, and wherein the display may be furtherconfigured to display other photographs with themed photograph overlaysstored in the user's on-line album at the remote server.

The display may be further configured to display an icon for a user topurchase a copy of the photograph with the at least one themedphotograph overlay.

The photograph with the at least one themed photograph overlay stored onthe remote server may have a link and a thumbnail image associatedtherewith so that a different PED can display the thumbnail image, andalso display the photograph with the at least one themed photographoverlay stored on the server via the link.

The at least one themed photograph overlay may include a plurality ofthemed photograph border overlays.

The designated area may include theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums,national and state parks, concerts and events.

Another aspect is directed to a method for operating a portableelectronic device (PED) as described above. The method includesreceiving an RF signal having a unique identifier associated therewithwhen the PED is in proximity to at least one themed photograph overlayimage beacon at a designated area. The unique identifier corresponds toat least one of a themed photograph overlay on a remote server. Themethod further includes transmitting the unique identifier to the remoteserver, and receiving the least one themed photograph overlay from theremote server based on the transmitted unique identifier. A photographis taken at the designated area, and is displayed with the at least onethemed photograph overlay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device with acreative artworks picture application at a theme park communicating witha remote server in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a creative artworks picture application icon displayed on theportable electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a log in screen displayed on the portable electronic deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a scan barcode screen displayed on the portable electronicdevice illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed view of the barcode illustrated in FIG. 1 thatis to be scanned by the portable electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a creative artwork options screen displayed on the portableelectronic device illustrated in FIG. 1 after scanning the barcode.

FIG. 7 is a camera display screen for a photograph being taken by theportable electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a photograph display screen of a picture with the creativeartwork selected by the user for the portable electronic deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an on-line prompt screen for the portable electronic deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 for uploading a photograph with creative artworkto the remote server.

FIG. 10 is another example of a photograph display screen of a picturewith creative artwork as selected by the user of the portable electronicdevice illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a social media display screen of the picture with creativeartwork as illustrated in FIG. 10 posted on social media as a thumbnailimage.

FIG. 12 is a linked social media display screen of the thumbnail imageas illustrated in FIG. 11 as viewed on another user's electronic device.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a guest interactive kiosk with thecreative artworks picture application in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of portable electronicdevices each with a creative artworks picture application at a corporateevent communicating with a remote server to collectively sharephotographs in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device with acreative artworks picture application operating in response to beaconsin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a notification display screen for the portable electronicdevice illustrated in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a photography system 15 includes a remoteserver 60 configured to store to a plurality of themed photographoverlays, at least one themed photograph overlay image 52 located at adesignated area and corresponding to at least one of the themedphotograph overlays on the remote server, and a portable electronicdevice (PED) 20 that includes a processor 30 configured to execute acreative artworks picture application 32.

The creative artworks picture application 32 is intended for use at anevent location 50, such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums,national and state parks, concerts and events, for example. The creativeartworks picture application 32 allows creative content 62 to be addedto photographs 38 taken by the portable electronic device 20.

The user is also prompted to buy prints of their photographs 38 with thecreative content 62, and to also share the photographs 38 with thecreative content 62 on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Thecreative content 62 may be themed borders, for example, that complementthe photographs 38 based on the locations where the pictures were taken.

The photographs 38 are taken by a camera 34 coupled to the processor 30,and are stored in a memory 36 coupled to the processor. Even though thecreative artwork 62 is available for a limited time on the user'sportable electronic device 20, the creative artwork is not stored in thememory 36 with the photographs 38. Instead, the photographs 38 withoutthe creative artwork 62 are stored in the memory 36. The photographs 38with the creative artwork 62 are stored external the portable electronicdevice 20, such as at a remote server 60. More particularly, thephotographs 38 taken by the camera 34 with the creative artwork 62 arestored in an individual on-line album 64 for the user at the remoteserver 60.

A display 40 is coupled to the processor 30 for displaying thephotographs 38 with and without the creative artwork 62. The photographs38 without the creative artwork 62 are available when the portableelectronic device 20 is not connected to the remote server 60. When theportable electronic device 20 is connected to the remote server 60, thenthe photographs 38 with the creative artwork 62 are available via theuser's on-line album 64.

For illustration purposes, discussion of the event location 50 will bewith reference to a theme park 50. Consequently, the creative artwork 62is tailored to different themed locations throughout the theme park 50,with each location being considered as a designated area. The creativeartwork 62 becomes available for a limited time at the portableelectronic device 20 when the camera 34 scans a themed photographoverlay image 52 located at a designated area.

The themed photograph overlay image 52 corresponds to at least one ofthe themed photograph overlays on the remote server 60, and may bebarcode 52, for example. As an alternative to barcodes, other types ofcoding schemes may be used, such as QR codes, picture codes or framingtokens, for example.

For the creative artwork 62 to be released to the portable electronicdevice 20, connection to the remote server 60 is needed. The portableelectronic device 20 thus includes a transceiver 42 with an antenna 44coupled thereto. The transceiver 42 is configured to communicate withcellular networks and Wi-Fi/WiMax networks. The cellular networks andWi-Fi/WiMax networks then access the remote server 60 via the Internet70.

The portable electronic device 20 thus includes various devices thatincorporate a camera therein, such as mobile smart phones or telephones(cellular and PCS), personal digital assistants, wireless email devices,and wireless equipped laptop computers having Wi-Fi/WiMax capability,for example. Moreover, the portable electronic device 20 may beconfigured as an iPhone, iPad or Android device, for example.

For the user to view on their portable electronic device 20 a photograph38 with the selected creative artwork 62, the user needs to be loggedinto the creative artworks picture application 32. Once the user islogged in, the portable electronic device 20 is connected to the remoteserver 60 via a cellular network or a Wi-Fi/WiMax network. This allowsthe user to view their on-line album 64 for any of the photographs 38with the creative artwork 62 stored therein.

Before a user can share a photograph 38 with creative artwork 62 fromtheir on-line album 64 on social media, the user needs to have access tothe digital rights. The digital rights may be obtained by a number ofdifferent methods, such as purchasing them or being an annual parkmember, for example. Even if the user does not have the digital rightsto share a photograph 38 with creative artwork 62 from their on-linealbum 64, the user is still able to view their album, but the albumincludes watermarks on the photograph with the creative artwork.

When the user has digital rights to the photographs 38 with creativeartwork 62 from their an on-line album 64, and wants to share one ormore photographs on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, only athumbnail image 41 of each photograph 38 with the creative artwork 62 isdisplayed. When the user's friends click on the thumbnail image 41 ontheir own portable electronic device 20(1) or fixed electronic device, alink back to the remote server 60 is provided for viewing the photograph38 with the creative artwork 62 stored in the on-line album 64.

The creative artwork 62 available to the user while at the theme park 50typically has intellectual property rights and name brand recognitionassociated therewith. Consequently, the theme park operator would liketo maintain as much control as possible over the creative artwork 62,particularly if an inappropriate picture was taken with the creativeartwork. This is accomplished by storing the user's photographs 38 alongwith the creative artwork 62 on the remote server 60 in an on-line album64 created for each individual user. If an inappropriate picture wastaken by a user, then that picture 38 with the creative artwork 62 isremoved from the user's on-line album 64 at the remote sever 60.

Operation of the creative artworks picture application 32 will now bediscussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-12. The userinitially downloads the creative artworks picture application 32 ontotheir portable electronic device 20. This may be done at the theme park50 or prior to the user entering the theme park. The creative artworkspicture application 32 appears as an icon 100 on the display screen 102of the portable electronic device 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A log indisplay screen 104 prompts the user to enter a user name 110 andpassword 112 to access the creative artworks picture application 32, asillustrated in FIG. 3.

When the user is ready to take a picture at a particular location withinthe theme park 50, the user accesses a scan barcode display screen 120,as illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the user is now logged into the creativeartworks picture application 32, the scan barcode display screen 120also displays in a photo viewing section 122 any previously takenphotographs 38 with creative artwork 62 stored in the user's on-linealbum 64 at the remote server 60.

To make the creative artwork 62 at the particular themed locationavailable for viewing, the user selects the scan barcode prompt 124 onthe scan barcode display screen 120. The user is then able to scan abarcode 52, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The illustrated barcode 52 iscarried by a decorative stand 54 that may also provide instructions foraccessing the creative artwork 62 available at this particular location.As an alternative to barcodes, other types of coding schemes may beused, such a QR codes and picture codes, for example.

Once the user scans the barcode 52, then a creative artwork optionsscreen 130 is displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Included on thecreative artwork options screen 130 is a variety of themed borders 132that the user may select from prior to taking a picture. The themedborders 132 are permanently stored at the remote server 60 as part ofthe creative artwork 62, but are viewable on the user's portableelectronic device 20 for a limited amount of time.

The viewing time for the different themed borders 132 may be 15 minutes,for example. The viewing time is set back at the remote server 60, andmay be changed to a different value depending on the location, asreadily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The user also has theoption of scanning the barcode 52 again if more time is needed.

The objective of setting a time limit is to allow enough time for theuser to take a picture without being rushed, and to also prevent theuser from having enough time to go to a separate or remote location andtake an inappropriate picture with one of the themed borders 132. Thetime limit thus allows control over use of the themed border 132 asselected by the user.

As an alternative to using a time limit when viewing the availablethemed borders 132, tracking location of the user's portable electronicdevice 20 may be used. As long as the user's portable electronic device20 remains within a certain distance to the barcode 52, such as 50 feet,for example, then the themed borders 132 remain viewable by the user.Once the user exceeds the viewing distance, e.g., 50 feet, from thebarcode 52 with their portable electronic device 20, then the themedborders 132 are no longer viewable. The user would have to rescan thebarcode 52 and remain within the applicable viewing distance.

After selection of the themed border 132, the user then takes a picture,as illustrated by the camera display screen 136 in FIG. 7. The themedborder 132 as selected by the user is not visible as the user is takingthe picture. Once the picture 38 is taken, as illustrated in FIG. 8, aphotograph display screen 140 of the picture 38 with the themed border132 as selected by the user is provided.

Included on the photograph display screen 140 is an option for the userto purchase a print of the picture 38 with the selected themed border132. The user will either select the yes prompt 142 or the no prompt144. If the user selects the yes prompt 142, the print will be availablefor pickup while at the theme park 50. If the user selects the no prompt144, the picture 38 with the themed border 132 is still available forviewing at the user's on-line album 64 on the remote server 60. The useralso has the option to later order prints of the picture 38 with thethemed border 132 even after leaving the theme park 50.

A price icon 145 may also be provided on the photograph display screen140. The price of the print may vary depending on a number of differentoptions. For example, an annual park member may have a lower print pricethan a non-annual park member. As another example, the user may havepurchased a photo package that includes a certain number of prints.Based on the type of photo package purchased, this information would beprovided to the user to help with filling the package as ordered.

For the themed border 132 to remain with the photograph 38, the two areloaded to the remote server 60. More particularly, the picture 38 withthe themed border 132 is placed in the user's individual on-line album64, as indicated in the on-line prompt screen 150. As the picture 38with the themed border 132 is being uploaded, a series of dots 152 issequenced indicating the process. Once the picture 38 with the themedborder 132 has been uploaded, the user has the option to view theiron-line album 64 via the my album prompt 154 or take a new photographvia the new photo prompt 156.

Another example of a photograph display screen 160 of a picture 38 withcreative artwork 62 as selected by the user is illustrated in FIG. 10.Since the user has digital rights to this picture 38 with the creativeartwork 62, the user can share the photograph with the creative artworkon social media, such as Facebook, for example. When the user's friendis logged into Facebook on their own portable electronic device 20(1), athumbnail image 41 of the picture 38 with the creative artwork 62 isdisplayed on their on-line social media display 170, as illustrated inFIG. 11. When the user's friend clicks on the thumbnail image 41, a linkback to the remote server 60 is provided for viewing the photograph 38with the creative artwork 62 stored in the user's on-line album 64.

When the user's friend is linked back to the remote server 60 to viewthe associated photograph 38 with the creative artwork 62, asillustrated by the linked on-line media display screen 174 in FIG. 12,banner adds 180 may be placed on the same screen. This advantageouslyallows the theme park to advertise by providing additional on-linemarketing to other potential park guests.

Another aspect is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable instructions for causing a PED 20 to performsteps comprising operating a transceiver 42 coupled to a processor 30 tocommunicate with a remote server 60, with the remote server storing aplurality of themed photograph overlays 62, and operating a camera 34coupled to the processor based on user input to scan at least one themedphotograph overlay image located at a designated area. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium may further comprise operatingthe transceiver 42 to receive the at least one themed photograph overlayfrom the remote server 60 based on the camera 34 scanning the at leastone themed photograph overlay image, operating the camera based on userinput to take a photograph at the designated area, and operating adisplay 40 coupled to the processor 30 to display the photograph withthe at least one themed photograph overlay.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a guest interactive kiosk 200 is equipped withthe creative artworks picture application 32. Instead of the park guestusing their own portable electronic device 20, the guest interactivekiosk 200 is used for the same function. The guest interactive kiosk 200includes a camera for taking a picture of the park guests. The parkguests are able to select different themed borders, as indicated inpictures 202 and 204. In addition, the available creative artwork, asindicated by reference 206, may be selected and dragged by the parkguests into their pictures. If the park guests have purchased thedigital rights to the pictures 202 or 204, then they are able to sharethem on social media, as indicated by the social media screen 210.

Referring now to FIG. 14, another embodiment of portable electronicdevices 200 each with a creative artworks picture application 232communicating with a remote server 260 to collectively share photographswill now be discussed. Instead of the user of each portable electronicdevice 200 scanning a bar code 252 to access the creative artwork 262 tocreate an individual on-line album, the photographs 238 taken by each ofthe portable electronic devices 200 are stored in a shared on-line album264.

For illustration, the event location 250 may be a wedding or corporateevent, for example. While the wedding or corporate event is takingplace, photographs 238 with creative artwork 262 taken by the attendeeswith their portable electronic devices 200 are stored at the remoteserver 260 in the shared on-line album 264. After the event has ended,no more pictures may be uploaded to the remote server 260.

Attendees and even non-attendees may access the remote server afterwardsto view the shared on-line album 264. The attendees and non-attendeeshave the option to order prints of any of the photographs 238 with thecreative artwork 262 stored in the shared on-line album 264, even ifthey did not take the photograph. This advantageously allows others tohave access to a great photograph that they did not take but would stilllike to have.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another embodiment of the photography system315 will be discussed. In this embodiment, the themed photograph overlayimages 52 at the designated areas are replaced by themed photographoverlay image beacons 352. The themed photograph overlay image beacons352 are configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals havingunique identifiers associated therewith. Each unique identifiercorresponds to at least one of the themed photograph overlays on theremote server 360.

The RF signal transmitted by each themed photograph overlay image beacon352 is intended to be short range, such as up to 20 to 30 feet, forexample. This range may vary based on the transmit power of the themedphotograph overlay image beacons 352, as readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. The RF signal may be based on a wireless protocol.Example wireless protocols include Bluetooth, Zigbee and MiWi. Otherwireless protocols compatible with portable electronic devices (PEDs)320 may be used, as also readily appreciated by those skilled in theart.

The themed photograph overlay image beacons 352 are spaced apart fromone another within an event location 350. The communications range ofeach themed photograph overlay image beacon 352 is less than theseparation distances of the themed photograph overlay image beacons 352.This prevents a personal electronic device 320 from receiving RF signalsfrom more than one themed photograph overlay image beacon 352 at thesame time.

Still referring to FIG. 15, the photography system 315 includes a remoteserver 360 configured to store creative content 362, such as a pluralityof themed photograph overlays, and at least one portable electronicdevice 320 that includes a processor 330 configured to execute acreative artworks picture application 332. The portable electronicdevice 320 also includes at least one transceiver 342 with an antenna344 coupled thereto to receive the RF signals from the themed photographoverlay image beacons 352.

The creative artworks picture application 332 is configured so that anotification 325 is displayed on a notification display screen 345indicating that the personal electronic device 320 is in proximity to apicture taking site 352, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

The notification 325 also asks the user if a picture is to be taken. Thenotification 325 requests a yes or no acknowledgement by the user. Tomake the creative artwork 362 at the particular themed location 352available for viewing, the user selects the yes prompt 355 on thenotification display screen 345. If the user does not want to take apicture, then the no prompt 357 is selected.

Once the creative artwork 362 is available for viewing, as in FIG. 6,operation of the creative artworks picture application 332 with thethemed photograph overlay image beacons 352 is similar to thediscussions directed to FIGS. 6-12. These discussions will not berepeated.

The creative artworks picture application 332 is intended for use at anevent location 350, such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums,national and state parks, concerts and events, for example. The creativeartworks picture application 332 allows creative content 362 to be addedto photographs 338 taken by the portable electronic device 320.

The user is also prompted to buy prints of their photographs 338 withthe creative content 362, and to also share the photographs 338 with thecreative content 362 on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Thecreative content 362 may be themed borders, for example, that complementthe photographs 338 based on the locations where the pictures are taken.

The photographs 338 are taken by a camera 334 coupled to the processor330, and are stored in a memory 336 coupled to the processor. Eventhough the creative artwork 362 is available for a limited time on theuser's portable electronic device 320, the creative artwork is notstored in the memory 336 with the photographs 338. Instead, thephotographs 338 without the creative artwork 362 are stored in thememory 336. The photographs 338 with the creative artwork 362 are storedexternal the portable electronic device 320, such as at the remoteserver 360. More particularly, the photographs 338 taken by the camera334 with the creative artwork 362 are stored in an individual on-linealbum 364 for the user at the remote server 360.

A display 340 is coupled to the processor 330 for displaying thephotographs 338 with and without the creative artwork 362. Thephotographs 338 without the creative artwork 362 are available when theportable electronic device 320 is not connected to the remote server360. When the portable electronic device 320 is connected to the remoteserver 360, then the photographs 338 with the creative artwork 362 areavailable via the user's on-line album 364.

For illustration purposes, the event location 350 may be a theme park.In this example, the creative artwork 362 is tailored to differentthemed locations throughout the theme park 350, with each location beingconsidered as a designated area. The creative artwork 362 becomesavailable for a limited time at the portable electronic device 320 whenthe portable electronic device 320 is within communications range (i.e.,within proximity) of a themed photograph overlay image beacon 352.

For the creative artwork 362 to be released to the portable electronicdevice 320, connection to the remote server 360 is needed. The at leastone transceiver 342 is configured to communicate with cellular networksand Wi-Fi/WiMax networks. The cellular networks and Wi-Fi/WiMax networksthen access the remote server 360 via the Internet 370.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims.

That which is claimed:
 1. A portable electronic device (PED) comprising:a processor; a transceiver coupled to said processor and configured toperform the following: receive an RF signal having a unique identifierassociated therewith when the PED is in proximity to at least one themedphotograph overlay image beacon at a designated area, with the uniqueidentifier corresponding to at least one of a themed photograph overlayon a remote server, transmit the unique identifier to the remote server,and receive the least one themed photograph overlay from the remoteserver based on the transmitted unique identifier; a camera coupled tosaid processor and configured to take a photograph at the designatedarea; and a display coupled to said processor and configured to displaythe photograph with the at least one themed photograph overlay for a settime interval corresponding to when the at least one themed photographoverlay was received.
 2. The PED according to claim 1 wherein after theset time interval, the photograph is displayed without the at least onethemed photograph overlay.
 3. The PED according to claim 1 wherein saiddisplay is further configured to display the photograph with the atleast one themed photograph overlay for a set time intervalcorresponding to being in proximity to the at least one themedphotograph overlay image beacon at the designated area, and when notwithin proximity to the at least one themed photograph overlay imagebeacon at the designated area, display the photograph without the atleast one themed photograph overlay.
 4. The PED according to claim 1wherein the RF signal received from the at least one themed photographoverlay image beacon is based on at least one of a Bluetooth wirelessprotocol, a Zigbee wireless protocol and a MiWi wireless protocol. 5.The PED according to claim 1 wherein said display is further configuredto display a notification indicating proximity to a picture taking site.6. The PED according to claim 5 further comprising an input devicecoupled to said processor, and wherein the notification requiresacknowledgement by a user via said input device before the least onethemed photograph overlay is received from the remote server.
 7. The PEDaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one themed photograph overlayreceived by said transceiver from the remote server comprises aplurality of themed photograph overlays to be displayed, with a userselecting one of the themed photograph overlays to be displayed with thephotograph taken by said camera.
 8. The PED according to claim 1 furthercomprising an input device coupled to said processor, and wherein saidprocessor is further configured so that a user logs in via said inputdevice before said transceiver receives the at least one themedphotograph overlay from the remote server.
 9. The PED according to claim1 wherein the remote server is configured to store the photograph withthe at least one themed photograph overlay in an on-line album assignedto a user operating the PED, and wherein said display is furtherconfigured to display other photographs with themed photograph overlaysstored in the user's on-line album at the remote server.
 10. The PEDaccording to claim 1 wherein said display is further configured todisplay an icon for a user to purchase a copy of the photograph with theat least one themed photograph overlay.
 11. The PED according to claim 1wherein the remote server is configured to store the photograph with theat least one themed photograph overlay with a link and a thumbnail imageassociated therewith so that a different PED can display the thumbnailimage, and also display the photograph with the at least one themedphotograph overlay stored on the server via the link.
 12. The PEDaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one themed photograph overlaycomprises a plurality of themed photograph border overlays.
 13. The PEDaccording to claim 1 wherein the designated area comprises at least oneof theme parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, national and state parks,concerts and events.
 14. A method for operating a portable electronicdevice (PED) comprising: receiving an RF signal having a uniqueidentifier associated therewith when the PED is in proximity to at leastone themed photograph overlay image beacon at a designated area, withthe unique identifier corresponding to at least one of a themedphotograph overlay on a remote server; transmitting the uniqueidentifier to the remote server; receiving the least one themedphotograph overlay from the remote server based on the transmittedunique identifier; taking a photograph at the designated area; anddisplaying the photograph with the at least one themed photographoverlay for a set time interval corresponding to when the at least onethemed photograph overlay was received.
 15. The method according toclaim 14 wherein after the set time interval, the photograph isdisplayed without the at least one themed photograph overlay.
 16. Themethod according to claim 14 wherein the displaying comprisingdisplaying the photograph with the at least one themed photographoverlay for a set time interval corresponding to the PED being inproximity to the at least one themed photograph overlay image beacon atthe designated area, and when the PED is not within proximity to the atleast one themed photograph overlay image beacon at the designated area,displaying the photograph without the at least one themed photographoverlay.
 17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the RF signalreceived from the at least one themed photograph overlay image beacon isbased on at least one of a Bluetooth wireless protocol, a Zigbeewireless protocol and a MiWi wireless protocol.
 18. The method accordingto claim 14 further comprising displaying a notification indicatingproximity of the PED to a picture taking site.
 19. The method accordingto claim 18 wherein the notification requires acknowledgement by a userof the PED before the least one themed photograph overlay is receivedfrom the remote server.
 20. The method according to claim 14 wherein thereceived at least one themed photograph overlay from the remote servercomprises a plurality of themed photograph overlays to be displayed,with a user of the PED selecting one of the themed photograph overlaysto be displayed with the photograph.